Before we created “Oddity Odysseys”, I was not savvy to the world of YouTube. I had no account and would maybe watch an occasional movie trailer, cat video or The X-files bloopers. That was over a year ago. Since then, my knowledge of that Red-Play-Button Logo has blossomed and while there is much left to explore, here are a few things I’ve learned about YouTube.
Anyone can create a YouTube Channel.
It never dawned on me that human beings posted the videos I watched. They don’t appear on their own from the social media gods?? Nope. Those posting are Channel Owners.
According to YouTube Help: Once you have a Google account you: 1.) Sign into YouTube 2.)Go to Channel List 3.)Click “Create a new channel” 4.) Fill out the details to name your new channel and verify your account. Then click “done”.
With the revelation that these creative souls were the ones posting content I had a new appreciation for YouTube. One does not have to go through the stress of pitching show ideas to Networks, one can post content themselves. It allows an open platform for those with cameras, phones, drones and ideas to allow everyone on the web to see their vision. It is a wonderful concept.
However, there are vulgar videos and content that I do not find entertaining. I tend to not spend a click of them and watch what interests me, but there are others out there who show their distaste with distasteful comments. Which is another thing I’ve learned about YouTube.
Cyberbullying and harassment on YouTube are alive and well.
Drew and I are not naive enough to think everyone who watches our videos are going to like them. (They SHOULD, they’re amazing!) But there are those out there who hide behind their computer screens and keyboards and throw slander and insults in the comments section. Luckily, as a Channel Mediator, we’re allowed to block, remove and flag unwanted comments. But first, we still have to read them. Drew once said “Par for the course.” Took me a while to accept this and not slash back at those spewing poison. Then I realized: those people are cowards. They’re hiding behind a screen all day watching YouTube while we’re out there creating, living and experiencing. And now when I see hateful, spiteful and uncalled-for comments towards fellow YouTubers videos and fellow commenters, I try to think of a nice comment to post for them. YouTube can show ugliness at times due to the people who try to spread hate, but it also has it’s rewards. Which leads me to the most recent thing I learned about YouTube.
YouTube has it’s own recognition program!
It’s called the YouTube Creator Awards. The tagline for these awards is: “Build your audience and be recognized for your success”. This whole time I thought the viewers and subscribers were the reward. YouTube created this program to inspire and empower their channel owners. The program has three levels which bestows three different plaques to creators. The Silver Play Button plaque (Silver-plated) is awarded to those who reach one hundred thousand subscribers. The Gold Play Button plaque (Gold-plated, not solid…darn) is awarded to those who reach one million subscribers. And the holiest of all holy grails is the Diamond Play button. The Diamond marks the feat of a channel owner reaching an astonishing 10 million subscribers. Each time Drew and I earn a new subscriber, we celebrate. Not one goes unnoticed and unappreciated. While we’re far from a play button plaque to hang on the wall, it is a goal to stride towards. As for now, thank you to all the YouTube Channel owners for your entertaining content. Thank you to everyone who gives our videos a thumb up or leaves a pleasant comment. And thank you to all the viewers and subscribers for giving our channel some legs to walk on through the map of the YouTube world. We appreciate you all.
Anyone can create a YouTube Channel.
It never dawned on me that human beings posted the videos I watched. They don’t appear on their own from the social media gods?? Nope. Those posting are Channel Owners.
According to YouTube Help: Once you have a Google account you: 1.) Sign into YouTube 2.)Go to Channel List 3.)Click “Create a new channel” 4.) Fill out the details to name your new channel and verify your account. Then click “done”.
With the revelation that these creative souls were the ones posting content I had a new appreciation for YouTube. One does not have to go through the stress of pitching show ideas to Networks, one can post content themselves. It allows an open platform for those with cameras, phones, drones and ideas to allow everyone on the web to see their vision. It is a wonderful concept.
However, there are vulgar videos and content that I do not find entertaining. I tend to not spend a click of them and watch what interests me, but there are others out there who show their distaste with distasteful comments. Which is another thing I’ve learned about YouTube.
Cyberbullying and harassment on YouTube are alive and well.
Drew and I are not naive enough to think everyone who watches our videos are going to like them. (They SHOULD, they’re amazing!) But there are those out there who hide behind their computer screens and keyboards and throw slander and insults in the comments section. Luckily, as a Channel Mediator, we’re allowed to block, remove and flag unwanted comments. But first, we still have to read them. Drew once said “Par for the course.” Took me a while to accept this and not slash back at those spewing poison. Then I realized: those people are cowards. They’re hiding behind a screen all day watching YouTube while we’re out there creating, living and experiencing. And now when I see hateful, spiteful and uncalled-for comments towards fellow YouTubers videos and fellow commenters, I try to think of a nice comment to post for them. YouTube can show ugliness at times due to the people who try to spread hate, but it also has it’s rewards. Which leads me to the most recent thing I learned about YouTube.
YouTube has it’s own recognition program!
It’s called the YouTube Creator Awards. The tagline for these awards is: “Build your audience and be recognized for your success”. This whole time I thought the viewers and subscribers were the reward. YouTube created this program to inspire and empower their channel owners. The program has three levels which bestows three different plaques to creators. The Silver Play Button plaque (Silver-plated) is awarded to those who reach one hundred thousand subscribers. The Gold Play Button plaque (Gold-plated, not solid…darn) is awarded to those who reach one million subscribers. And the holiest of all holy grails is the Diamond Play button. The Diamond marks the feat of a channel owner reaching an astonishing 10 million subscribers. Each time Drew and I earn a new subscriber, we celebrate. Not one goes unnoticed and unappreciated. While we’re far from a play button plaque to hang on the wall, it is a goal to stride towards. As for now, thank you to all the YouTube Channel owners for your entertaining content. Thank you to everyone who gives our videos a thumb up or leaves a pleasant comment. And thank you to all the viewers and subscribers for giving our channel some legs to walk on through the map of the YouTube world. We appreciate you all.
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